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Your guide to a long and happy tenancy Tenants’ Handbook 01 Welcome! a guide to short term lets tenancies Established in 1895, the National The keys in your hand are about Contents Trust is Europe’s largest conservation to open a new chapter in your life. 02 The National Trust as a landlord charity. Our core purpose is to Whether you are moving in to a preserve and protect historic places cottage or to the wing of a mansion, 06 As a rule of thumb... and spaces for ever, for everyone. once you step over the threshold, 08 Settling in We take care of historic houses, you will become an integral part gardens, mills, coastline, forests, of a National Trust building’s story. 09 When circumstances change woods, fens, beaches, farmland, Whatever your reasons for choosing to be a 10 Who does what – landlord moorland, islands, archaeological National Trust tenant, this handbook will give you remains, nature reserves, villages and all the information and support you need to build a and tenant responsibilities constructive and fair tenant-landlord relationship. pubs. With the help of our members, 14 Staying warm safely donors and supporters, we manage In these pages you will find the responsibilities for the upkeep of your place – our responsibilities 16 Getting repairs done some of the most special places in and yours; the legal obligations of all parties England, Wales and Northern Ireland. signed up to the agreement; who to call for advice; 18 Enjoying your National some real life stories of people who are enjoying their National Trust tenancy, and some hints and Trust property tips to help you make the most of your new home. 24 Tenancy details 30 How to give feedback and make a complaint 32 Getting in touch with us 02 Tenants’ Handbook 03 The National Trust as a landlord Your property is one of around As landlords we aim, above all, to be fair 5,000 houses and cottages and professional. We recognise we have an How we raise money we own and rent out. Many important responsibility to you and to all Donations Membership Commercial operations our residential tenants. We want to provide & legacies fees of these places are on larger you with as good a service as we can. estates that we have acquired. Our priorities are to: Sometimes they include entire • maintain all of the houses and cottages we villages that were once homes own as part of our historic environment for estate workers. • provide warm, comfortable homes at a market rent The buildings that we let on residential tenancies Including property rentals form a significant total of the number of buildings • raise income for our core purpose work. that we own and care for. The Trust is a conservation charity, not a social housing provider and the income from the homes we let plays an essential part in funding our work National Trust to look after special places and give wonderful experiences to tens of millions of people each year. core purpose Our status means we are bound by the Charities Looking after special places Act to rent out properties on the best terms we forever for everyone can reasonably obtain. Countryside Coast Property How we spend the money we raise 04 Tenants’ Handbook 05 In it for the long term Improvement plans We know that one of the things There are times when our plans for a rental As the National Trust’s property may change, but in the majority Director of Rural Enterprises, that’s most important to our of cases, we are keen to build long-lasting it’s my responsibility to tenants is the knowledge that tenant-landlord relationships that bring stability and longevity to our tenants’ life oversee our rental houses unless there are unexpected plans and to our own. and cottages and to be sure circumstances or disputes, they are protected as part of our historic built environment. they can enjoy their tenancy for the long term. Our view is that a lived-in house is a cared ‘Relationships that bring for house, so we hugely value the role our stability and longevity’ tenants play in the ongoing conservation A tenant’s story of a building and we strive to build good relationships. This means listening and Life-long tenant making continual improvements: we know from a recent survey that we need to get Vicki Smith took over the tenancy of better at communication and the speed 2 The High Street in West Wycombe, of repairs, for instance, and we’re working Buckinghamshire in December 1968! After a few alterations and some decorating she on this over the next couple of years. We and her young family moved in February are also putting central investment into 1969. That makes Vicki’s tenancy one of improving the quality of our properties. the Trust’s longest at 46 and a half years. TANT is one of the ways you can get advise/support on your tenancy. ‘I have always enjoyed living in this house in Their website is www.tantuk.org and West Wycombe,’ says Vicki. ‘The house, built in 1722, was just right for bringing up my two they can be contacted on 0845 4633563 children. Even though it’s on a main road the I hope you enjoy your home and that this house is close to a super school and part of a handbook helps cement our relationship. lovely community. We have loved living in the village with so much history and beautiful Patrick Begg countryside all around us. Although I rent ‘Although I rent the house I have the house I have always treasured and looked Director of Rural Enterprises after it as if it were my own. I am happy and always treasured and looked proud to live in West Wycombe village.’ after it as if it were my own.’ 06 Tenants’ Handbook 07 As a rule of thumb... for assured shorthold tenancies Our tenants have high Keeping your house expectations of their National in good order Safety! Trust rental property – the • Inside we expect you to keep on top of Gas leaks Te n a n t s ’ accommodation, the location maintenance such as cleaning, keeping décor in good order, ensuring any systems such as If you suspect there is a leak at your Handbook and the community. In return, electrics or heating are treated respectfully property, you MUST... Your guide to a long and that you let us know quickly if you have and happy tenancy we expect tenants to look after any problems so that they don’t get worse. the property as if we were 1. Turn off the gas supply at the meter looking after it, right to the Being a good neighbour Put out all naked flames end of the tenancy. It’s likely you are going to be living in a small 2. and cigarettes community where lives and living spaces are Making the property your own: closely intertwined. We all know what we wish Open doors and windows to let in for from a good neighbour: 3. fresh air what’s OK, what’s not • an awareness of keeping noise to a minimum NOT use any electrical equipment, • Decorating inside is fine and, in fact, is your • considerate parking responsibility, as long as you return to the same 4. not even to switch them off, including state as when you first arrived (for example, • clearing all rubbish away mobile phones, light switches, purple walls returned to their original colour and intercom systems • controlling pets glow stars peeled off) at the end of the tenancy. • a general willingness to co-operate with or Phone National Grid IMMEDIATELY • If you want to hang pictures it may be best to join in community activities. 5. on 0800 111 999 check the details of your tenancy agreement in case old or fragile walls should not be drilled Wait OUTSIDE the property for the or hammered into. 6. engineer to arrive. If the leak is severe, waiting inside could be dangerous. • Decorating outside is our responsibility. Your tenancy can give you more information. Your Tenant Pass In the garden, please do bring colour to flower You will receive a free ‘Tenant Pass’ borders and plant pots, and sow vegetable beds. throughout the duration of your tenancy. • Please don’t cut back or down trees or This entitles two adults plus accompanying substantial long-established hedges without children to enjoy unlimited entry to hundreds our express written permission or help – we of National Trust properties. You will also would prefer our specialists to carry out this receive a handbook to help you plan your sort of work. visits, the triannual National Trust Magazine and free car parking at most of our places. 08 Tenants’ Handbook 09 Settling in Changing circumstances Moving in checklist The inventory Family size Rights of jointly named tenants Contact all the relevant utilities suppliers to the You will be given a ‘schedule of condition’ or Any members of your immediate family (Partner You will have equal rights to remain in the house – gas, electricity, water and telephone an inventory to check through.